Osaka becomes first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final in 22 years
Thursday 6 September 2018 16:34, UK
Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys will meet in the semi-final of the US Open after progressing on Wednesday night.
Osaka reached her maiden Grand Slam semi-final with an emphatic 6-1 6-1 victory against Ukraine's unseeded Lesia Tsurenko.
Then Keys beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4 6-3 to reach her second consecutive semi-final at Flushing Meadows.
The 20-year-old Osaka, who becomes the first Japanese woman to advance to the last four of a major since Kimiko Date at Wimbledon in 1996, produced a ruthless display to defeat the world No 36 in 57 minutes.
Both players came into the match on the back of gruelling three-set contests but Osaka began confidently in their first tour-level meeting and never looked likely to lose against her fatigued opponent on another day of stifling heat in New York.
"It really means a lot," said Osaka. "I was freaking out inside and my whole body was shaking but overall I am most proud of not breaking a racket!"
The world No 19 made a flying start in her first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium this year breaking Tsurenko, who suffered with the heat during her come-from-behind victory against Marketa Vondrousova in the fourth round, in the second game before remaining on the front foot to win the first set in 26 minutes.
As with the opener, Osaka broke at the start of the second set, this time coming from 0-40 down, and even when her serve was threatened when leading 4-1 she saved three break points on her way to closing out victory in mature fashion.
Last year's finalist Keys said of Osaka: "I think we play similarly.
"I think power, obviously a big serve. I think I probably have a little bit more spin on the ball, but I think she takes time away really well.
"I don't think we will have tons of long rallies."
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Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.